A Reflection On Servanthood

When I need to take on Christ’s attitude

Our churches and ministries often resemble worldly institutions with their power structures, self-interest, and man-made methods. But the body of Christ is to be radically different. It is to be the one body on earth that subverts the fallen order. It is to be characterized by servanthood and humility.

Jesus modeled this for us in a number of ways: ministering to outcasts, washing the disciples’ feet, and most significant, dying for our sins. Yet despite the divine example, we often act in ways contrary to the Master. We are more like the disciples who argued about who was the greatest. Our attitudes reflect an unwillingness to be like Jesus, no matter how often we might call Him “Lord.”

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had,” Paul says (Philippians 2:5), before describing the humility of Christ. Christians who are characterized by that attitude glorify Him and demonstrate that they are not of this world.

Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. . . . For I am among you as one who serves.

Luke 22:26-27